Radon is the leading source of cancer of the lung for non-smokers as well as the second leading reason behind carcinoma of the lung to the general population in accordance with the American Lung Association. Choices General and EPA recommend testing for radon and reducing radon in homes that have high levels. Fix your own home if your radon level is confirmed being 4 picocuries per liter, pCi/L, or higher. Radon levels below 4 pCi/L still pose a hazard, and in many cases might be reduced. If you smoke plus your home has high radon levels, your risk of cancer of the lung is particularly high.
In El Paso County, over half of each of the homes tested between 2011-2015 had high amounts of radon. Radon levels vary greatly at home by. El Paso County as well as the state of Colorado are in “Zone 1” in line with the EPA. This implies their state and county possess a possibility of high radon levels.
The American Lung Association recommends that every homes in Zone 1 be tested for radon and the U.S. Surgeon General warns that radon is the second leading source of carcinoma of the lung in the nation. Radon reduction systems is able to reduce radon levels by approximately 99 percent but require special knowledge and skills to create and install.
It isn’t really enough to go through an individual skills study course to turn into a certified RADON inspector or mitigator! That understanding and skill which will come with advanced schooling and experience in a multi-discipinary approach can effectively mitigate this hazard within your homes. A simple certificate and patch for the shoulder just isn’t suggestive of such experience. Who would you like to trust using your life?
Where Does Radon Come From?
RADON Gas is a degradation product of Uranium, a radioactive element which is ubiquitous during the entire granite core with the Rocky Mountains.
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How come RADON Dangerous?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) as well as the Surgeon General’s Office have estimated that as much as 20,000 cancer of the lung deaths are caused each and every year by radon. Radon is the second leading reason for lung cancer. Radon-induced united states costs the United States over $2 billion dollars each year in direct and indirect medical care costs. (Determined by National Cancer Institute statistics of 14,400 annual radon united states deaths – Oster, Colditz & Kelley, 1984)
In line with the US EPA, nearly One in three homes checked in seven states and also on three Indian lands had screening levels over 4 pCi/L, the EPA’s recommended action level for radon exposure. The alpha radiation emitted by radon is similar alpha radiation emitted by other alpha generating radiation sources like plutonium.
A family whose home has radon amounts of 4 pCi/L is exposed to approximately 35 times all the radiation as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission enables if it family was standing near the fence of the radioactive waste site. (25 mrem limit, 800 mrem exposure).
An grade school student that spends 8 hours each day and 180 days per year in the classroom with 4 pCi/L of radon will get nearly 10 x the maximum amount of radiation since the Nuclear Regulatory Commission allows at the edge of a nuclear power plant. (25 mrem limit, 200 mrem exposure).
Most U.S. EPA lifetime safety standards for carcinogens have established yourself based on a One in 100,000 risk of death. Most scientists agree that the risk of death for radon at 4 pCi/L is approximately One out of 100. In the 4 pCi/L EPA action guideline level, radon carries approximately 1000 times the potential risk of death just like any other EPA carcinogen. It is important to be aware that the action level is very little safe level, as there are no “safe” numbers of radon gas.
More information about Radon Mitigation explore our new web page.